Bristol, Dec. 10th, 1835.
December 11. I have been enabled to pray all this week with increased confidence concerning the Orphan-House, as it regards means, a house, suitable individuals to take care of the children, furniture, &c. December 16. Brother C-n, whom the Lord has kindly allowed to stay above two months among us, to supply brother Craik's lack of service, left us today. How very gracious has the Lord been to us in this affliction! Many brethren have been sent to us as helpers for a little while--brother C-t for the greater part of the time, and brother C-n for more than two months. And, in addition to this, when brother Craik and I were both ill, the brethren were kept in peace, and there was a spirit of prayer among them. December 31. This evening we had an especial meeting for prayer and praise. We continued together from seven till after twelve.
There have been received into the church at Gideon during the past year--29
Ditto, Bethesda--30
Altogether--59
Of these 59, 30 have been brought to the knowledge of the Lord through the instrumentality of brother Craik and me. There are now, of those who have been begotten again through us, since we have been in Bristol, at Gideon 63, and at Bethesda 71--altogether 134. Besides this, several have fallen asleep in the faith, who never were in communion with us, and several of our spiritual children have joined other churches, in and out of Bristol, and many are now standing as hopeful characters on the list of candidates for communion. There have been added to the church at Gideon, since we came, 125; to Bethesda, 163--altogether 288; so that the number of both churches would have been 356 (68 believers we found at Gideon), had there been no changes; but
Of Gideon are at present
under church discipline 6, of Bethesda, 7, altogether, 13
Do. have fallen asleep 12 do. 5 do. 17
Do. have left Bristol 10 do. 4 do. 14
Do. have left us, but are
still in Bristol 11 do. 4 do. 15
39 20 59
So that there are at present in communion with us 297:--143 at Bethesda, and 154 at Gideon.
As it regards the way in which the Lord, in His faithful love, supplied my temporal wants, during the past year, I mention that I received--
1. In free-will offerings, given through the boxes, as my part £130 3s. 7 1/4d.
2. In free-will offerings given by believers in and out of Bristol, not through the boxes £120 7s. 6d.
3. Towards the house rent I received from brother Craik, in consideration that he has no rent to pay, for nine months £7 10s. 0d.
4. The presents sent to us in clothes and provisions, &c., were worth to us at least £27 0s. 0d.
Altogether £285 1s. 1 1/4d.
January 3, 1836. This morning brother Craik spoke a little in public for the first time after about nine months.
January 6. Today we had three especial prayer meetings, for the full restoration of brother Craik's voice. We had also, on January 7, 8, 9, and 10, especial prayer meetings for brother Craik's full restoration. January 16. Today I put into the press another statement, containing a further account respecting the Orphan-House. [It is here reprinted.]
Further account respecting the Orphan-House, intended to be established in Bristol, in connection with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad.